Kurtis and Joshua Popp: Charged

Kurtis and Joshua Popp were in court today.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Two brothers suspected in the launching of a military flare that burned the Patrick Cudahy meat plant have been charged with second degree recklessly endangering safety, carrying a possible penalty of up to 10 years in prison for each, according to a criminal complaint filed Thursday.

Joshua Popp, 23, of Twentynine Palms, Calif., and Kurtis J. Popp, 25, of Milwaukee will make their initial appearance at 1:30 p.m. in Milwaukee County Circuit Court.

According to the complaint, an investigation revealed that the blaze was sparked by a military grade green star cluster marker flare that was fired from a nearby residential area. Portions of the rocket and canister of the flare were recovered at the Patrick Cudahy plant.

After the Popp brothers were identified as potential suspects, Joshua Popp admitted in an interview that he took the flare about two years ago while serving in the United States Marine Corps, the complaint says. He indicated it was customary for Marines to collect the flares, used in training exercises, for personal souvenirs.

He said he returned to Cudahy for the July 4th weekend. Joshua Popp told authorities that he had purchased fireworks to launch with his family and friends. He originally intended to launch the flare, as well as a military issue smoke grenade that he also collected during his time with the Marine Corps, on July 4 after launching the fireworks.

Because the July 4 fireworks irritated neighbors, however, he chose to wait until July 5 to launch the flare and smoke grenade, according to the complaint.

In spite of complaints from neighbors on July 4, the Popps were determined to continue to break the law. So they waited to launch the $50,000,000 in damages flare on July 5.

Joshua Popp told investigators that he took the military flare and gave directions to his brother Kurtis Popp about how to ignite and launch it. Joshua Popp said that Kurtis Popp took the flare, held it over his head, ignited it and deployed the rocket.

Joshua Popp said they could not see where the flare deployed its fiery marking stars or where it ultimately landed, and that concerned him.

Really?

It concerned him?

What specifically concerned him?

When the Patrick Cudahy plant went up in flames, Joshua Popp didn't volunteer what he knew to authorities, information that may have helped fight the fire.

The blaze burned for more than three days at the plant. It caused more than $50 million in damage, forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents and temporarily stopped work for most of the plant's 1,800 employees.

The JS doesn't point out that hundreds of employees are laid off due to the fire.

From TMJ4:

Wednesday was a night to kick back and relax at a benefit to help Patrick Cudahy workers and thank the firefighters who fought to save the plant.

It’s been more than two weeks since the meat processing plant caught fire, forcing the company to lay off hundreds of union workers.

Charles Dee with the American Federation of Teachers Local 212 had a donation to the workers relief fund. Dee said, "I’m proud to give the Patrick Cudahy Workers Relief Fund this check for $2,000."

Other checks keep coming in to the Patrick Cudahy Workers Relief Fund too. So far, more than $35,000 has been raised to help the 1,400 union works with unpaid bills.

It's great that the community is coming together. That's what "concern" looks like.

Look at the extent of the damage and the hardship the Popps have caused because they chose to break the law. It's staggering.

In the end, I doubt the Popps will spend a day in prison.